Time-limit circuit-controller.



PATENTED MAY 12. 1903.

C. D. HASKINS. TIME LIMIT CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1901.

I0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented May 12, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

OARYL D. HASKINS, OF SOHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TIME-LIMIT CIRCUIT-CONTROLLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 727,624, dated May 12, 1903.

Application filed July 30, 1901.

To (LZZ whorwit may concern.- 7

Be it known that I, OARYL D. HASKINS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time-Limit Circuit- Controllers, (No. 2,036,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to circuit-controllers I0 of that class in which a time interval is desired between the instant of an occurrence and the time at which an effect shall be pro duced on a controlled piece of apparatus. Such devices are employed, for example, in

governing the operation of circuit-breakers. It is desirable that circuit-breakers should not operate instantly on a small percentage of overload, as motors and other electric translating devices are not damaged by the con- 2-0 tinuance of a moderate overload for a short length of time, audit is desirable not. to have the service interrupted by a brief overload due to some momentary fluctuation, provided the circuit-breaker may be safely tripped within a time limit which would not endanger the safety of the generator or translating devices. Devices of this kind as commonly employed provide clockwork, the time-train being released by a magnet in the circuit in case of an overload and after a determinate interval serving to trip the circuit-breaker. If, however, the overload should cease within such interval, the clockwork is so adjusted as not to trip the circuit-breaker and to stop IVith such apparatus, however, an uncertainty of operation results, as the operating, parts are delicate and liable to get out of order from repeated use, from neglect of winding, and

other causes.

My invention contemplates the construction of atime-limit control device adjustable as to the time limit, not dependent upon clockwork, always ready foraction, and of great simplicity of construction.

In carrying out my invention I provide a reservoir for a liquid capable of being tilted or revolved on its bearings, so as to permit a flow of the liquid from one chamber of the reservoir to another, the duct through which the flow is effected being of such character Serial No. 70,237- (No model.)

as to require a definite and preferably ad justable time interval for a determinate-quantity transfer. By means of the flow the circuit to be controlled is effected so as to trip the circuit-breaker or control the translating device of other character which is to be governed. I provide also means by which upon a predetermined maximum overload the control-circuit may be instantly affected so as to guarantee the safety of the controlled apparatus against such highly-abnormal currents.

The simplest form in which I have thus far practiced the invention comprisesa reservoir provided with an adjustable counterweight containing two chambers connected by a communicating channel and mounted on trunnions, so as to be capable of tilting. One end is affected by an electromagnet in the govern-' ing-circuit, which serves to tilt the reservoir when an overload occurs. I place in the reservoir a body of conducting liquid-such, for example, as mercury-although other mobile materialsuch, for example, as conductingpelletsmight be employed. When the electromagnet is energized, the reservoiris tilted and the conducting liquid flows from one chamber to the other, and after a definite amount has been transferred contacts connected with the controlled circuit are completed, either directly by the conducting liquid or gravitatively by reason of the transfer of liquid. Moreover, by means of an adjustable device the level of the liquid may be altered so as to vary the time in which the con tacts are connected.

My invention may be applied either to direct or alternating currents.

The several features of novelty will be hereinafter more particularly described and will be definitely indicated in the claims.

In the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate the invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying my improvements adapted for use with alternating currents. Fig. 2 is a similar device adapted for use with direct currents, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the construction of the device.

I have shown it as formed in the shape of an hour-glass, having two bulbs 1 2, connected by a neck which is perforated, so as to establish communication between the two bulbs, as seen in Fig. 3. One of the chambers may carry contacts, as 3 4, one at least of which should be insulated. The device is pivotally mounted, so as to rock in a vertical plane, as indicated, and carries an armature 5, cooperatively arranged to an electromagnet included in the controlled'circuit. WVhen used with alternating currents, this electromagnet should be laminated and the armature formed of a disk of good conducting material, such as copper. I prefer to employ in the reservoir a conducting liquid, such as mercury, though in some cases a lion-conducting liquid may be employed and :4 float or other equivalent device be used to actuate the controlled circuit. The device is provided with an adjustable counterweightgo to retract the apparatus to the normal horizontal position when thedisturbingintluenceisremoved. The communicating channel 7 between the two chambers should be of sucha size as to require a determinate time interval for the transfer of sufficient quantity of flliiid to affect the controlled circuit. 7 As shqwn in the drawings, the contacts 3 4 are set on a diametrical vertical line, and when the apparatus is tilted under the influence of the electromagnet mercury will be transferred from the higher to the lower chamber andafter a definiteinterval will bridge the contacts 3 4. One circuitterminal may be mounted on the base, as indicated at 8, and the other be led to the contact-post 3. The terminals 8 and 3 may be included in a local circuit containing the tripcoil of the circuit-breaker or a cutout device or other translating device to be operated. After the translating device has been operated the controlling-electromagnet 9 is denergized, and the counterweight 6 restores the apparatus to its normal position. In case it is desired to have the circuit-breaker operated under two conditions of currenta's, for example, a moderate overload lasting for a definite time or a definite maximum overload requiring immediate operation-the contact 8 may be made flexible and be cooperatively arranged to a companioncontactS, so that the strong influence exerted by the electromagnet will not onlyrtilt the device-to a po- 'sition where itwould trip the circuit-breaker after the lapse ofadefinite time, but will force it to a position which will close the contacts 8 8 and immediately close the tripping-cit cuit.

The sensitiveness of the device maybe varied by an adjustment of the counterweight 6 and the time interval varied by an adjustment of a displacementscrew 10. In order to render its action uniform, a pipe ll is used to connect the two reservoirs above the liquid-level, thereby permitting a uniform transfer of liquid by equalizing the air-pressure.

In the case of an alternating current the copper armature 5 is repelled on overload. The contact devices are therefore placed at the end remote from the magnet. With a direct current an iron armature may be placed at the same end, as indicated in Fig. 2.

The walls of the reservoir may be. formed of any suitable material, such as porcelain or glass, or even metal.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A circuit-controller com prisinga pivoted liquid-reservoir containing two chambers connected by a duct, an operating-magnet to effect transfer of liquid from one chamber to the other upon a determinate current strength in the magnet-circuit, contacts in a controlled circuit closedby the transferred liquid after a determinatequantity has been transferred, and contacts closed instantly by the reservoir when a predetermined maximum current flows through the magnet.

2. A time-limit circuit-controller comprising a pivoted liquid-reservoir containing two chambers connected by a duct, an operatingmagnet to effect transfer of liquid from one chamber to another upon a determinate current strength in the magnet-circuit, a circuit controlled by a determinate amount of liquid transferred,and an adjustable counterweight for varying the current strength to which the controller responds.

3. Acircuit controllercomprisingapivoted liquid-reservoir containing two chambers connected by a duct, an operating-magnet to effect transfer of liquid from one chamber to the other upon a determinate current strength in the magnet-circuit, contacts in the controlled circuit closed by a determinate amount of liquid transferred, and an adjusting device for altering the relation of the contacts to the liquid.

t. Acircuitcont-rollercomprisingapivoted liquid-reservoircontainingtwo chambers connected by a duct, an operating-magnet to effect transfer of liquid from one chamber to the other upon a determinate current strength in the magnet-circuit, contacts in a controlled circuitzclosed by a determinate amount of liquid transferred, and adjustable means for altering the free space in the contact-chamber to vary the time limit.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of'July, 1901.

oARYL D. HASKINS.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, MARG RET E. WooLLEY. 

